Re: Top Complimented Niche?

This category isn't that difficult. At least in my experience you can usually tell by the notes (not the note listing, but the notes you pick up with your own nose when sampling/testing) whether a niche fragrance is likely to get compliments. The key factor is to make sure it's not too abstruse or demanding. For example Montale fragrances probably don't have much of a reputation for drawing compliments, but much of this is perhaps down to the Montale scents which are popular. Namely the Aouds and exotic scents with a lot of depth.

Something like Sandflowers though is more than apt at drawing compliments.

Generally I find fresh-spicey, aquatic, citrus and green fragrances, vanillas, and the right sort of gourmands which still boast decent projection and longevity, assuming they work with your skin, draw the most compliments particularly when they're using headspace notes as these are very easy to appreciate. Darker fragrances are often less approachable, and many notes that appeal to fragrance lovers are polarizing in the extreme. Authentic notes of Oud, Tuberose, Rose, Immortelle, and Darker Vetivers for example will normally receive mixed responses. Animalics can have the same effect.

Re: Top Complimented Niche?

Just check the "Most Complimented" sticky thread. There was an awesome Basenoter who was nice enough to compile all the fragrances into a spreadsheet of most complimented. If you look through the list, you can pick the niche ones from the designer ones.

Re: Top Complimented Niche?

Aventus and Bleecker Street. Bleecker Street is the only time I was complimented on the street by a total stranger. I've never had THAT happen before - or since. But I own scents that only cost a fraction of those which get much more enthusiastic compliments. Especially from a date.

Re: Top Complimented Niche?

My most-complimented niche is also my most-complimented scent, period: Straight to Heaven. One of my coworkers in the art department at our ad agency absolutely loves it. In fact, I came into work wearing Encre Noire today and she told me to go back to Straight to Heaven next time I come in.

Interestingly enough, I also own and love PdN New York, but I have only gotten one compliment on it ever since I bought it.